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According to the Rome Statute however, a state party's withdrawal from the ICC can only take effect a year after the written notification of the withdrawal is received by the United Nations secretary-general.

Duterte disputed this, saying the withdrawal should take effect immediately, as he claimed that the agreement was fraudulent to begin with.

The one-year timeline, he said, is "not applicable insofar as the effectivity of the withdrawal of the Philippines as a signatory to the Rome Statute is concerned, for the reason that there appears to be fraud in entering such agreement." (READ: Things to know about Duterte's pet peeve ICC)

Explaining his view, Duterte said the Philippines was "made to believe that the principle of complementarity shall be observed, that the principle of due process and the presumption of innocence as mandated by our Constitution and the Rome Statute shall prevail, and that the legal requirement of publication to make the Rome Statute enforceable shall be maintained." ([OPINION] ICC: Complementarity, not exhaustion of remedies)

He alleged that the Rome Statute was never published in the Official Gazette – the official journal of the Republic of the Philippines – thus it was never effective in the country.

"Under our law, particularly the New Civil Code, a law shall become effective only upon its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Devoid of the legal required publication, the Rome Statute is ineffective and unenforceable," the President wrote.

He was likely referring to Article 2 of the Civil Code which states: "Laws shall take effect after 15 days following the completion of their publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, unless it is otherwise provided."

In August 2011, a press release about the concurrence of the Senate on the Rome Statute was published on the Official Gazette, which only carries Philippines laws and executive issuances.

Duterte said that because of the supposed non-publication of the Rome Statute on the Official Gazette or a Philippine newspaper, "an international law cannot supplant, prevail, or diminish a domestic law."

The Chief Executive invoked presidential immunity as yet another reason why the ICC has no jurisdiction over him.

A sitting president's immunity from suit is not stated explicitly in the 1987 Constitution but Duterte contends that charter framers "unanimously agree that such doctrine is deemed written in the 1987 Constitution."

"Thus, considering that such immunity is part and parcel of the organic law of the Philippines, it cannot be removed through the enactment of a statute or be bargained away through the negotiation of a treaty," said Duterte.

The Philippine leader also argued that the acts he is being accused of committing are not acts under the jurisdiction of the ICC.

The Philippine leader also called out the ICC for supposedly "prematurely" announcing its preliminary examination which "created the impression" that Duterte would be charged in the international court. (WATCH: The International Criminal Court process)

"It is apparent that the ICC is being utilized as a political tool against the Philippines," said Duterte.

It was Malacañang, however, which first issued a statement confirming the ICC's preliminary examination on February 8. ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda had also emphasized in her announcement – which came after the Palace confirmation – that a "preliminary examination is not an investigation." (READ: Cayetano says ICC withdrawal 'a principled stand')

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).